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• Foxglove aphid identification
• Life cycle of the foxglove aphid
• Damage symptoms
• Biological control of foxglove aphids

The foxglove aphid is medium in size (1.8-3 mm; temperature dependent), oval-round body with long legs, short cornicles and long antennae. The foxglove aphid can vary in color from green-yellow to dark green.

Typical of this aphid are the dark green circles around the cornicles. As is common for aphids, the foxglove aphid can be winged or wingless. If the aphid population density becomes too great, aphids will be born with wings. This facilitates movement to other plants. Since the foxglove aphid can be a carrier of multiple plant viruses, the spread of this aphid can therefore become extra problematic.

As the foxglove aphid matures into adulthood, it sheds or molts four times on average. Their shed skins are white and are a good indication that the aphid is present.

Detection products can be uses for rapid detection of aphids. 

The foxglove aphid can reproduce sexually and asexually. The eggs can survive the winter and hatch in large numbers in the spring. Due to a mostly constant temperature in Dutch greenhouse horticulture, asexual reproduction is most common. The population then consists of females only. The females produce live offspring. The nymphs start feeding on plant saps immediately after birth. The foxglove aphid reaches adult stage after seven to ten days and lives an average of one to two weeks. After each molt, a shed skin is left behind in the crop.

The foxglove aphid extracts nutrients from the plant. This disrupts growth of the plant. While piercing the leaves and fruits, the aphid secretes a toxic substance. This substance causes yellow spots in the leaves and deformity of the leaves and stems. This effect becomes visible very quickly and even at very low numbers of foxglove aphids. The excess of ingested plant sap is excreted in the form of honeydew. This makes the plant and fruit sticky. On honeydewand sooty mold can grow that contaminates the plant and fruits. During nutrient absorption, viruses can be transmitted to the plant.

Foxglove aphid control by using various natural enemies:

• ERVIcontrol: predatory wasp Aphidius ervi
• APHELIcontrol: predatory wasp Aphelinus abdominalis
• APHIDOcontrol: gal midge Aphidoletes aphidimyza
• CHRYSOcontrol: larvae of the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea
• ADALIAcontrol: adult lady bugs Adalia bipunctata

Effective chemical plant protection products are broad action insecticides such as Batavia, Pirimor and Closer. Another alternative is Requiem Prime, which can be used in both vegetable- and floriculture. For an overview of all approved products against foxglove aphid for your crops, you can refer to the Spraying Guide.

Not all methods can be combined with the natural enemies. For information about side effects please refer to the Agrobío Effects App.

Foxglove aphid damage in crops can also be reduced or prevented by taking additional hygiene measures or by fitting insect netting over the air vents. 

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